In ancient seas and earlier epochs, a large and ancient leviathan terrorized all sea creatures. Killer Whales would be nothing compared to this sea monster, that cannibalized other whales too.
Good thing that it died out because at 50 to 60- feet long with sharp teeth chomped down on anything it can catch. Dubbed, the Basilosaurus isis with monstrous appetites that included smaller whales in its fossilized skeleton. This predator must have preyed on baby whales of the Dorudon atrox, killing them by crushing skulls in its gaping maw.
It was not pretty in the least, sharp incisors with ripping cheek teeth made short work of the bodies of their prey. This is according to the marine researcher, Manja Voss, at the Berlin Museum für Naturkunde. An indication that it held the status as an apex predator, on the top of the food chain in that epoch.
One of the biggest toothed whales to evolve, living about 34 million and 38 million years ago (MYA). At 50 to 60-feet it was impressive and was a leviathan of the deep, feared by its cousins as well. Remains of sharks, fish in the tummy were signs of hunting actively or scavenging. Living in seas with this predator on the prowl, would not be ideal.
By chance the Basilosaurus Isis was found in Egypt's "Valley of the Whales", this area was once submerged ages past. The fossil bed is 87-miles southwest from Cairo, known for its abundance of whale fossils when B. Isis was uncovered in 2010.
Paleontologists found most of the fossilized whales, on the surface in the desert rock and sand. Whalebones were exposed and easily accessed to wind and erosion in the desert. Removing the fossils in its gut for analyzing to see what species the contents are. Scientist kept the B. Isis remains in the sediment it was found in, to keep it intact from possible damage.
From the bones found in the belly, identified remains of the D. Atrox that were teeth, skull parts, ribs, and vertebrae of the doomed animal. D. Atrox is a small whale that was part of its diet, at 16-feet long. The crushed skull had teeth marks on it, that identified as Basilosaurus Isis which predated on it the D. Atrox.
Cannibalization of smaller whale species might be normal since it was an apex predator during its time. Indicators of the savage bite mark on the skull bits are final and a killing blow of active predation not an exploratory nip on the stomach. Further excavation has yielded fossils of sub-adult D. Atrox on the desert terrain.
Because of the B. Isis size and toothy attributes, it made a natural-hunter killer which targeted the D. Atrox and killed with ease. Compared to larger adults, the D. Atrox youngsters were easy to hunt for immense killers like the Basilosaurus Isis. It was logical for the B.Isis because the younger whales needed protection till 24-months, far from their parents they were fairly easy games.
No modern style of predation by the Basilosaurus Isis is evidenced, but the closest are Killer Whales that are half their size. Orcas are the wolves of the sea, compared to these ancient leviathans. It seems that cannibalization was done by the B. Isis and the Orca is just the same. The B. Isis is gone, but the Killer Whale inherited its predatory tendencies.
Read: Ancient, 50-Foot-Long Whale Crushed Baby Whale Skulls for Dinner
